Visakhapatnam joined the global community on Sunday in observing World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. A solemn ceremony was held to honour those who have lost their lives or been injured in road accidents. The event brought together city officials, experts, and NGOs to discuss strategies to enhance road safety and provide support to affected families.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Sanka Bratha Bagchi, the City Police Commissioner, emphasized the urgent need for road safety, stating, “Every moment, someone is injured or loses their life due to road accidents. It is imperative for each of us to follow road rules diligently.” He highlighted the significant progress made in helmet compliance since July 1, saying, “Helmet usage in Andhra Pradesh has increased from 10% to over 50%. Our goal is to reach 100%, ensuring both riders and pillion passengers wear BIS-certified helmets.”
To further strengthen enforcement, Dr. Bagchi announced plans for an AI-driven system to identify traffic violations, including helmet non-compliance, through vehicle number plate recognition and directly issue fines to offenders. The Commissioner also noted a decline in traffic fatalities in Visakhapatnam, stating, “Accident-related deaths have dropped from 32 to 19 within a few months. This is a step in the right direction, but we must strive for safer roads for all.”
To provide timely support to accident victims and their families, Dr. Bagchi announced the establishment of a Road Traffic Victim Assistant Cell with a 24/7 helpline (7995095799). This cell will help track compensation claims, register grievances, and ensure victims receive assistance without bureaucratic delays. “The best tribute to road accident victims is ensuring their families receive timely help. We will work with all relevant departments to make this possible,” he pledged.
Dr. Bagchi appealed to the public, “Let us honour road accident victims by making our roads safer. Follow traffic rules, wear helmets, avoid speeding, and ensure every journey ends safely.
” The Rotary Club expressed gratitude to the Visakhapatnam City Traffic Police for their dedication to road safety and victim support, reaffirming their commitment to creating a safer community.
